Heritage Permit By-law

Thank you for joining the conversation about Heritage Permits in the Township of Puslinch!

In response to the changes in the Ontario Heritage Act, as a result of Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 the Township implemented a Heritage Designation Process to support the preservation of built heritage within the Township. When a property is designated under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, property owners must apply to Council in order to alter, construct or demolish buildings and structures on their property and receive approval in writing from the Council.

The proposed Heritage Permit By-law is seeking provide a clear process for Heritage Permit Applications, and to simplify the process to receive a Heritage Permit Exemption waiver for alterations/construction that do not impact Heritage Attributes as identified in the Heritage Permit By-law.

Highlights of proposed Heritage Permit By-law:

• Provide a clear application and approval/refusal process for all applications to alter, construct, demolish buildings and structures on designated properties.
• Provide transparency in respect to the permitting process
• Provide delegated authority to staff to streamline applications to alter or construct that do not impact the Heritage Attributes as listed in the Heritage Designation By-law
• Outlines exemptions from requiring a Heritage Permit

Staff presented an initial draft of the proposed Heritage Permit By-law at the March 20, 2024 Council meeting, where Council directed staff to present the proposed Heritage Permit By-law to the Heritage Advisory Committee on May 6, 2024. Staff will present the next draft of the proposed by-law at the May 22, 2024 Council meeting. The proposed Heritage Permit By-law survey will close May 3, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.